Doffing mechanism



Sept. 7, 1965 J. A. cUGlNl DOFFING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1965 INVENTOR. Joh-IN A.CL 1G||\1|.

A TTORNE Y Sept. 7, 1965 J. A.

cUGlNl 3,204,397

DOFFING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1963 3l I i INVENTOR JOHN ALDUGINI.

Bmw MMM A TTORNE Y Sept. 7, 1965 J. A. cUGlNl DOFFING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 5, 1963 INVENTOR JOHN AC UGINI.

A TTORNE Y Sept 7, 1965 J. A. cUGlNl 3,204,397

DOFFING MECHANI SM Filed July 5, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR JOHN ACUGINI.

Wam @01AM A TTORNE Y Sept- 7 1965 J. A. cUGlNl v3,204,397

DOFFING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 37 -1 EIE.E 1|?V 52,45 l?. /33 Aunmgi l" au? mi* /az 49 O 1 INVENTOR. JOHN A @L JGINL BWM WMM A TTORNE Y Sept. 7, 1965 1. A. cUGlNl DOFFING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1963 INVENTOR. JOI-lm A Cuelml.

A TTORNE Y Sept 7, 1965 J. A. CUGINI 3,204,397

DOFFING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1963 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. Jol-1N A.CL Jc-:-n\u.

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A TTORNE Y United States Patent O 3,204,397 DGFFING MECHANISM John A. Cugini, Hopedale, Mass., assignor to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine Filed July 5, 1963, Ser. No. 293,085 9 Claims. (Cl. 57-53) The present invention pertains 4to mechanism for doffmg fully wound bobbins from such winding machines as spinning, doubling or twisting frames.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a single doiiing device which may be transported along the rail of a spinning frame and dolf individual consecutive bobbins from the spindles thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide, in a doflng device, lifter units which are vertically slidable under spring tension for abruptly ejecting lled bobbins into a convenient container.

It is a further object to disclose a means whereby the lifter springs may be loaded or drawn down to the firing position by a cylindrical cam of much greater diameter than has been heretofore possible in order to obtain the benefit of a decreased pressure angle.

A still further object of the invention is to position the slidable lifter units around the rotating shaft in such a way that each bobbin in a row is doied in consecutive order with the signal for the release of each lifter unit being obtained from the spindle to be doffed.

A further object is to provide a positive means to release the driving t between each bobbin and its spindle prior to triggering the bobbin lifter units.

A further object is to provide an automatic means to retract the dofiing mechanism into an inoperative position to enable the doiiing conveyor to pass the end of the spinning frame.

These and other objects of the invention will become apaprent as further details are disclosed.

The doiiing and donning of spinning and twisting frames is an operation which the textile mills are constantly trying to improve through the introduction of mechanical devices. Numerous methods for handling this work have been introduced with varying degrees of success in the field. A dofl'lng and donning machine has been disclosed in United States Patents Nos. 3,077,725 and 3,070,949 wherein an easily operated wheeled carriage is adapted to be mounted by rollers on rails on the spinning frame. The carriage is moved along the rails parallel lto the row of iilled bobbins which are doifed individually by a device attached to the above carriage and deposited into a container carried for that purpose. A still further device is also attached to the carriage for donning empty bobbins upon the spindles as the device progresses along the frame.

It is with the type of doi'ling and donning carriage and the basic method of treating each bobbin and spindle singly, as disclosed in the abovementioned United States patents, that the instant invention is concerned. A novel dotling mechanism is herewith explained and illustrated in which certain disadvantages in the aforementioned device arel eliminated. With a single mechanism of this invention, it is now possible to doff each bobbin of a row in consecutive order where previously two doing mechanisms were required, each dong alternate bobbins.

There is disclosed herewith a means for spring-loading the bobbin lifter units by forces resulting from pressure angles consistent with good engineering practice. The lifter units are controlled by cam followers which project outwardly from a central pivotal point and are in contact with encircling cams of considerable diameter.

The invention will appear more clearly from the follow- `ing detailed description whentaken in connection with F"ice the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the doiling mechanism in place on a suitable doiiing and donning conveyance from the side adjacent a spinning frame;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism in position on a spinning frame;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the doiiing mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3 with the top and the ratchet members removed;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a single lifter unit in full line drawing at the position of first contact with a bobbin, and in the dotted line drawing, the same lifter is in position for ejecting that same bobbin;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic elevation showing a lifter unit and its cam followers in the step sequence of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevation of the bobbin-lifter channel member showing one spring support arm;

FIG. 8 is an elevation in section taken on line 8-8 in FIG. 4 with the lifter units removed;

FIG. 9 is a cross section of a lifter unit as shown on line 9 9 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the lifter unit and the ratchet and pawl in position for bobbin ejection;

FIG. 11 is an elevation of the automatic latch-tripping device shown in the forward dofling position;

FIG. 12 is 4the same device in the tripped position which allows the dong mechanism to assume a retracted position;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the doiling mechanism in the two positions of FIGS. 11 and 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the latch device taken along line 14-14 in FIG. 12;

FIG. l5 is a cross section of the latch device taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 11 showing the positioning of the lower plate and the tongue prior to latching; and

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 showing the parts completely latched.

Now referring to the figures of drawing, FIGS. 1 and 2 show upper and lower rails 20 and 21 of a spinning frame which are positioned to support and steady a doiiing and donning conveyance, generally designated 22 by means of grooved rollers 23 and lower steadying rollers 24 fixed for free rotation upon the conveyance. When placed upon the rails, the conveyance will travel parallel yto a row of spindles 25 from which iilled bobbins 26 are to be doffed into a receptacle 27 carried by the conveyance.

A horizontal frame member 28 of the conveyance supports the novel doing mechanism broadly designated 29, which is adapted to pivot at a bolt 30 upon a thrust bearing 31 (FIG. 2). The doiiing mechanism is partially enclosed within an open-faced casing 32 of cylindrical shape and is so positioned on the conveyance 22 as to direct the open side toward the spinning frame. The case 32 is enclosed at the top and bottom by a top plate 33 and a base plate 34 which are secured to the casing by means of screws 35 and 36 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

A round shaft 37 is extended vertically through the centers of plates 33 and 34 and is held for free rotation by bearings 38 and 39 (FIG. 8). Secured for intermittent rotation with the shaft 37 by keys 40 and 41 is a bobbinlifter chanel member 42. In FIGS. 4 and 7 the channel member 42 is shown with a generally cylindrical body and a smaller cylindrical cap 43 at the top. Both are drilled to receive the shaft 37 when assembled. Six equally spaced axially directed channels 44 are cut the full length of the body of channel member 42 and are substantially T- shaped (FIG. 4). Near the lower end of channel member 42 and equally spaced around the periphery are six outwardly projected separator pads 45. Each pad is spaced between two adjacent channels 44 (FIG. 7). Each pad has two vertically aligned tapped holes 46 for fastening, by screws 47, a spring supporting arm 48 which extends upwardly to approximately the top of the cap 43 and then extends outwardly in a horizontal plane a comparatively short distance as at 49 (FIG. 7). The outward end of surface 49 is flared on either side to form a pair of ears 50 suitable for fastening tension springs which will be explained herebelow (FIG. 3).

A star wheel 51 is positioned below the channel member 42 and is rmly secured to the shaft 37 as by a key or set screw 52 (FIG. 8). The star wheel is the driving element for intermittently rotating the shaft 37 and the channel member 42. The star wheel 51 has six arms 53 (FIG. 4) which cooperate with the base of each spindle 25 (FIG. 2) as the dol-'ling mechanism 29 is transported along the spinning frame. By timing the rotating sequence directly from each spindle, the positioning of the unit is cont-rolled accurately for any variable in spinning frame ring gauge. The star wheel 51 with the shaft 37 and its attached mechanism is supported above the base plate 34 by a thrust bearing 54 (FIG. 8).

A bobbin-lifter unit, generally indicated 55 (FIGS. 4 and 9) is slidably mounted in each of the six channels 44. The lifter unit is comprised of a body member 56 made to conform to the cross section of the channel 44 which will support the unit and permit only Vertical motion thereof. Firmly ed to the body 56 by screws 57 and plug nuts 58 is a lifter plate 59 which is adapted to rotate beneath the butt of a bobbin to be 4removed from the spindle 25. Two hooks 60 extend outwardly, one on either side, of the lifter plate 59 and are for attaching ejector springs 61 which connect to the spring supporting arm 48 at the upper point S0 (FIG. 3). The springs 61 extend vertically from the hooks 60 on each side of the plate 59 and urge the plate 59 upward with continuous tension.

The lifter um't 55 further comprises an upper cam follower roller 62 (FIG. 9) held for free rotation on a bearing 63 by a screw 64 and a plug nut 65. A lower cam follower roller 66 and a bearing 67 are held for free rotation by the lower screw 57 in the body member 56. It will be seen that the lifter unit 55 may be raised and lowered vertically either with or against the restraining tension of the springs 61 when urged by the cam followers 62 or 66.

A camming means in the form of a cylindrical upper cam 68 is adapted to force the bobbin-lifter units 55 downwardly against the spring tension where the units may be rotated into position beneath a lled bobbin, and to subsequently release the units upwardly to thereby eject the bobbin from the spindle (FIGS. 3, 6 and 8). The cam 68 is of greater diameter than the channel member 42 and partially surrounds the upper end of that channel member. Cam 68 is adjustably secured to the top plate 33 by fastening means such as screws 69 through adjusting slots 70 (FIG. 5).

As the cam follower 62 is intermittently rotated with its lifter unit 55 (FIG. 6), it is held in contact with the cam 68 by the springs 61. Starting on the high point 71 it proceeds along a downward slope 72 of the cam to a low point 73 which is positioned toward the front of the casing 32. While held at the low point 73, the lifter plate 59 is rotated beneath the butt of the next bobbin in line on the spinning frame. The cam follower 62 encounters a slight rise in the cam at 74 which may be a small lradius or a gradual upward angle and is for the purpose of bringing the lifter plate 59 up into contact with the bobbin and to raise the spindle if any play is present in the spindle mounting. The follower 62 then reaches an outwardly extending curve 75 and at this point, with the aid of a lower camming means to be later explained, will lose contact with the cam 68 and be abruptly raised to the high point 71 by the springs 61. The purpose of the curve 75 is to draw the follower 62 beyond a vertical cam surface 76 which is set back so as not to impede the upward motion of the'. follower 62. The lifter plate 59, in rising, will doff the b Dbbin into the bobbin box 27.

To break the driving fit between the bobbin and spindle, a positive raising force is given to the lifter plate 59 by a lower camming means 78 (FIGS. 3 and 10) which is fastened to the casing 32 outwardly of the channel member 32 by screws 79. The lower cam follower 66, similar to the upper cam follower 62, is directed outward radially from its supporting channel member 32 (FIGS. 4 and 9). After the lifter unit 55 has been rotated to the point where the upper cam follower 62 has reached point 74 on the cam, the lower cam follower 66 will strike cam 78 and with a sharp upward motion will break the driving t on the bobbin. After passing the point 75 on the upper cam, the spring raising means will forcefully draw the upper follower 62 to point 71 and thus eject the filled bobbin. To absorb the force occasioned by the rapidly rising lifter unit, a rubber bumper 111 (FIG. 8) encircles the cap 43 to the full diameter of the channel member 42. The body member 56 of the lifter unit 55 is adapted to strike the bumper 111 to relieve the blow of the upper cam follower 62 which would otherwise strike the high point 71 of the upper cam 68. A further ring-like member 112 covers the bumper 111 and is of a low friction material such as nylon. It serves as the contact between the intermittently rotating bumper member 111 and the non-rotating top plate 33.

In operation the conveyance 22 (FIG. 1) in position upon a spinning frame will present the dofling mechanism to each spindle and bobbin in sequence. The star wheel 51, in contactingeach spindle by an arm 53, will cause intermittent rotation to the channel member 42 and the lifter units 55. FIG. 5 shows, in the full line illustration, the position of the bobbin and lifter unit at the moment of contact, and in dotted lines the position of the identical lifter unit as the bobbin is dolfed. In FIG. 6 the upper and lower cam followers are shown in their relative positions during the same arc of movement. As the lifter plate 59 is rotated beneath the bobbin butt, the cam follower 62, as illustrated in solid lines, is held at the loW point 73 of the upper cam 68. Progress of the cam followers is illustrated in dotted lines. At 621 the upper cam follower has risen to move the lifter plate up into contact with the bobbin and to absorb any looseness present in the spindle mounting. At 661 the lower cam follower has been forcefully raised by the cam 78 thereby breaking the driving fit between spindle and bobbin. At 622 and 662 the tension springs 61 have started the abrupt upward motion which ends at 623 and 663 with the lifter unit at its high point of travel and the filled bobbin being ejected from the spindle.

To prevent reverse rotation of the lifter units during the time the star wheel is contacting a subsequent spindle, a ratchet 80 is fastened by set screws 81 to the shaft 37. A pawl 82 is pivoted on a screw 83 and held in contact with the ratchet by a tension spring 84 to assure only clockwise rotation of the shaft and its associated members (FIGS. 5 and 6). FIG. 5 shows the position of this mechanism when the lifter unit is pivoted beneath a bobbin before starting to doff and FIG. 10 illustrates the holding action as the unit is fired to effect a dof.

By rotating the vertically slidable lifter units within an encircling cam, the definite advantage of lower pressure angles may be obtained. Cam pressure and resulting wear are reduced to a point where six units may be positioned within the mechanism where previously this was not possible. Synchronization of more than one unit is now not necessary as a single star wheel. controls the dong cycle by contact with individual spindles and proper positioning is assured before each bobbin doif is effected.

As seen in FIG. 2, the conveyance 22 is in place on a spinning frame and in this position, the doing mechanism 29 extends outwardly toward the spindles. This forward doflng position is held by the mechanism during a complete dof, but in order that the conveyance may pass the end of the spinning frame, it is preferable to move the dofling mechanism to a retracted inoperative position.

The inoperative position is maintained until the conveyance has been wheeled to a new frame side and lowered onto the spinning frame rails.

Refer to FIG. 13 where the doiiing mechanism 29 is shown in the two required positions. A tension spring 85 is fastened at one end to the casing mem-ber 32 by an eye `86 and at the outward end to a stud 87 supported by an arm 88 extending rearwardly from the frame member 28. A latch 89 `and striker surface 90 (FIG. 15) hold the mechanism in the forward dofling position against the tension of the spring 85. A sloping slot 91 is machined into the base plate 34 to match Ithe latch 89 in order that the dotiing mechanism will slide over Kand press down the latch as it is moved to the oper-ating position. A spring '92 supports the latch 89 in the locking position under tension (FIGS. 11 and 12).

An automatic device for releasing the mechanism to the retracted positi-on after the nal bobbin on .a side has been doifed is shown in FIGS. 111 and 12. A lever 93 is pinned at 94 to the latch 89 and is pivoted on a second pin 95 held by the frame 28. The other end of the lever 93 .supports a roller 96 which is adapted to be raised by a triggering bar 97. The bar 97 is lfree to slide between parallel plates 98 which .are held separated by four bolts 99. A pin 100 xed to the bar 97 extends through a vertical slot 101 in the forward plate 98 and restrains the bar 97 from dropping through. A roller l102 is held at the lower end of the bar 97 by a bolt .103 and nut 104 (FIG. 16). A short piece of angled track 105 (FIG. l1) is secured to the framework of the spinning frame beneath and to the left of the last bobbin on the rail.

vIn operation the doing mechanism, after the final bobbin has been ejected, will be in the operating position illustrated in FIG. 11 with the latch 89 held upward by the spring 92 and the roller 102 approaching the track 105. FIG. l2 shows the bar 97 raised by the roller 102 with the lever 93 pivoted thereby to lower the latch 89 and thus release the dofng unit for retraction to the inoperative position by the tension of the spring 85. The doing mechanism is in position to 4by-pass the frame end of the spinning machine .and may be removed.

To pivot the dofling mechanism into the operating position for a new doit, automatic means may be used; however, in FIG. 11 a manually operated lever 106 is shown.

The lever 106 is pivoted on a bolt 107 and its outward arm 108 curves in an arc to .conform to the outer periphery of the casing 32 (FIG. 13). The arm 108 supports two rollers 109 and 110 =which will pivot the dofling mechanism when the lever 106 is pressed toward the rear as shown in the solid line drawing.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention vand the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for dofng bobbins from a row of spindles supported on amachine which comprises an openfaced casing member being adapted to be presented sequentially to each consecutive bobbin on the row of spindles, a bobbin-lifter channel member rotatably supported within said casing, a plurality of bobbin-lifter units slidably mounted on said channel member, each one of said lifter units being adapted to be moved :between a lower bobbin-contacting position and an upper bobbindoffing position, camming means for directing said lifter units into said lower position, said camming means partially surrounding said channel member, raising means for directing said lifter units to said upper position, and a drive mem-ber .for intermittently rotating said channel member and said lifter units, said drive member being actuated through contact with each spindle to be dofted thus `assuring uniform positioning of said lifter units relative to each spindle and bobbin.

y2. A mechanism for doing bobbins from a row of spindles supported on a machine which comprises an open-faced casing member being .adapted to be presented sequentially to each bobbin on the row of spindles, a bobbin-lifter channel member rotatably supported within said casing, said channel member comprising a generally cylindrical body having six axially directed channels in spaced relationship about the -outer periphery of said body, a bobbin-lifter unit slidably mounted in each of said channels, each of said lifter units being ladapted to be moved between a lower bobbin-contacting position and an upper bobbin-dofling position, camming means for directing said lifter units into said lower position, said camming means being adapted to partially surround said channel member, raising means for directing said lifter units to said upper position, and a drive member for lintermittently rotating said channel member and said lifter units, said drive member being actuated through contact with each spindle to be doifed thus assuring uniform positioning of said lifter units relative to each spindle and bobbin.

A3. A mechanism for dofling b-obbins from a row of spindles supported on a machine which comprises an openfaced casing member, said member being adapted to be presented sequentially to each bobbin on the row of spindles, a bobbin-lifter channel member rotatably supported within said casing member, said channel member comprising a gener-ally cylindrical body having, six axially directed T-shaped channels in spaced relationship about the outer periphery of said body, a bobbin-lifter unit slidably mounted in each of said six channels, each of said lifter units lbeing adapted to be moved between a vlower bobbin-contacting position Iand -an upper bobbindoing position, said lifter units each comprising an upper cam vfollower for depressing said lifter units toward said lower position, and a lower cam lfollower for abruptly raising said lifter units thereby breaking the driving fit between the bobbin .and spindle, camming means being Icontacted by lsaid upper cam follower, said camming means being adapted to partially surround said channel member, said upper and lower cam followers being directed outward radially from said rotating channel member, spring raising means for directing said lifter units to said upper portion, a lower camming means being adapted to be contacted by said lower cam follower, said lower camming means being fastened to said casing member outwardly of said channel member, and a drive member for intermittently rotating said channel member and said lifter units, said drive member being actuated through contact with each spindle to be doffed thus assuring uniform positioning of said lifter units relative to each spindle and bobbin.

4. A mechanism for doing bobbins from a row of spindles supported on a machine which comprises an openfaced casing member, said member being adapted to be presented sequentially to each bobbin on the row of spindle-s, a bobbin-lifter channel member rotatably supported within said casing member, said channel member comprising a generally cylindrical body having six axially directed T-shaped channels in spaced relationship about the outer periphery of said body, a bobbin-lifter unit slidably mounted in each of said six channels, each of said lifter units being `adapted to be moved between a lower bobbin-contacting position and an upper bobbin-doing position, said lifter units each comprising an upper cam follower for depressing said lifter units toward said lower position, and a lower cam follower for abruptly raising said lifter units thereby breaking the driving tit between the bobbin and spindle, camming means being contacted by said upper cam follower, said camming means being adapted to partially surround said channel member, said upper and lower cam followers being directed outward radially from said rotating channel member, spring raising means for directing said lifter units to said upper portion, a lower camming means being adapted to -be contacted by said lower cam follower, said lower camming means being fastened to said casing member outwardly of said channel member, and a drive member for intermittently rotating said channel member and said lifter units, said drive member being actuated through contact with each spindle to .be doied thus assuring uniform positioning of said 'lifter units relative to each spindle and bobbin, .a ratchet Wheel secured to rotate with said channel member, and a spring tensioned pawl being adapted to prevent any reverse rotation of the said channel member while the mechanism is passing between adjacent spindles.

5. In va mechanism for doing bobbins from -a row of spindles supported on a machine comprising a conveyance, supporting means on the machine vfor transporting the said .conveyance along the length of the machine, a dong mechanism carried by said conveyance. for removing the bobbin from each consecutive spindle which comprises an open-faced casing member, I`a bobbin-lifter channel member rotatably supported within said casing member, said channel member comprising-a generally cylindrical body having six axially directed T-shaped channels in spaced relationship about t-he outer periphery of said body, .a

lbobbin-lifter unit slidably mounted in each of said six driving fit between the bobbin and spindle, ca-mming means f being contacted by said Aupper cam follower, said camming means being adapted to partially surround said channel member, said upper and lower cam followers'being `and bobbin, a ratchet wheel secured to rotate with said channel member, and a spring tensioned pawl being adapted to prevent any reverse rotation of the said channel member while the mechanism is passing between adjacent spindles.

16. A mechanism for doiing bobbins lfrom a row of spindles supported on a machine which comprises a rotata-bly mounted bobbin-lifter member adapted to be presented sequentially to each bobbin on said row of spindles, a plurality of bobbin-lifter units slidably mounted on said lifter member each of which is movable between a lower bobbin-contacting position and an upper bobbin-dofng position, each of said lifter units further being adapted to effect doing of consecutive bobbins on said machine, camming means for directing said lifter units into said lower position, said camming means partially surrounding said bobbin-lifter member, and raising means for rapidly directing said lifter units to said upper position.

7. A mechanism for doffng bobbins from a row of spindles supported on a machine which comprises a rotatably mounted member, a plurality of bobbin engaging lifter mem-bers slidably restrained in said rotatably mounted member, resilient means urging each'said lifter member to raise a bobbin from itsspindle, cam means encompassing said rotatably mounted member for moving the lifter members to Itension their resilient means and for permitting them to be released, and other cam means for affecting the lifter members before release to raise them to break driving engagement between bobbins and spindles.

8. A mechanism for doing bobbins from a row of spindles supported on a machine which comprises a rotatably mounted member, a plurality of bobbin engaging lifter members slidably restrainedy in said rotatably mountedV member, said lifter members lbeing adapted to -eect doing of consecutive bobbins in said row, resilient means urging each said lifter member to raise .a bobbin from its spindle, 'cam means encompassing said rotatably mounted member for moving the lifter members to ten- Vsion their resilient means and for permitting them to be released, and other cam means for aifecting the lifter members before release to raise them to break driving engagement between bobbins and spindles.

9. The mechanism of claim 7 wherein said other cam means also encompasses said rotatably mounted member.

4References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS y3,070,949 1/63 Du Bois et al. 57-53 3,077,725 2/ 63 yDu Bois et al 57-53 3,088,266 5/163 Bahnson et al. 57-53 3,116,587 1/64 Du Bois et al 57-53 FOREIGN PATENTS 925,892 5/63 Great Britain.

yMERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MECHANISM FOR DOFFING BOBBINS FROM A ROW OF SPINDLES SUPPORTED ON A MACHINE WHICH COMPRISES AN OPENFACED CASING MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO BE PRESENTED SEQUENTIALLY TO EACH CONSECUTIVE BOBBIN ON THE ROW OF SPINDLES, A BOBBIN-LIFTER CHANNEL MEMBER ROTATABLY SUPPORTED WITHIN SAID CASING, A PLURALITY OF BOBBIN-LIFTER UNITS SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID CHANNEL MEMBER, EACH ONE OF SAID LIFTER UNITS BEING ADAPTED TO BE MOVED BETWEEN A LOWER BOBIN-CONTACTING POSITION AND AN UPPER BOBBINDOFFING POSITION, CAMMING MEANS FOR DIRECTING SAID LIFTER UNITS INTO SAID LOWER POSITION, SAID CAMMING MEANS PARTIALLY SURROUNDING SAID CHANNEL MEMBER, RAISING MEANS FOR DIRECTING SAID LIFTER UNITS TO SAID UPPER POSITION, AND A DRIVE MEMBER FOR INTERMITTENTLY ROTATING SAID CHANNEL MEMBER AND SAID LIFTER UNITS, SAID DRIVE MEMBER BEING ACTUATED THROUGH CONTACT WITH EACH SPINDLE TO BE DOFFED THUS ASSURING UNIFORM POSITIONING OF SAID LIFTER UNITS RELATIVE TO EACH SPINDLE AND BOBBIN. 